Cold Feet star Thomson becomes Scrooge as A Christmas Carol heads to Salford

Cold Feet favourite John Thomson will play Ebenezer Scrooge when The Old Vic’s production of A Christmas Carol arrives at Lowry in Salford this Christmas. His casting brings a familiar television face to the festive adaptation, which begins performances on December 11, 2026.

John is best known to Cold Feet viewers as Pete Gifford, while his television career also includes The Fast Show and Coronation Street. He will now take on Dickens’ miserly businessman, whose encounters with the supernatural force him to reconsider the life he has built.

Adapted by Jack Thorne and directed by Matthew Warchus, the production first premiered at The Old Vic in 2017 and has become a regular part of its Christmas programme. The Salford season marks the first time this production has been staged in a UK city outside London, following previous performances in America and Australia.

The story follows Scrooge through a Christmas Eve of ghostly visits, confronting him with his past, present and possible future. Music and festive storytelling accompany his journey as he discovers that he still has an opportunity to change.

When is John Thomson playing Scrooge?

John will star in A Christmas Carol at Lowry from December 11, 2026, until January 10, 2027. Performances take place in the venue’s Lyric Theatre, with tickets already on sale.

The advertised running time is approximately two hours, including a 20-minute interval. The production is recommended for audiences aged eight and over.

A Christmas Carol starring John Thomson runs at Lowry in Salford from December 11, 2026, until January 10, 2027. Book through the official Lowry website for tickets and performance details.